Top 10 Office & Administrative Certifications

Certifications are important for office and administrative professionals in the job market because they demonstrate a level of knowledge and skill that employers value. They also provide evidence of an applicant's commitment to professional development, which is highly desirable for any employer. Certifications can help an office or administrative professional stand out from other applicants and can even increase their earning potential. Additionally, certifications offer a way for employers to quickly assess an applicant’s qualifications and skillset, making them more attractive candidates for open positions.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Office & Administration and explains how they can help to advance an office & administrative's career.

What are Office & Administrative Certifications?

Office and administrative certification is a type of professional credential that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge, skills, and abilities in the areas of office administration and management. This type of certification is typically gained through a combination of formal training courses, experience in the field, and passing a comprehensive exam.

Having an office & administrative certification can be beneficial in many ways. It can give individuals an edge when applying for jobs or promotions. It also gives employers assurance that their employees have the necessary skills to do their job properly. Certification helps demonstrate a person’s commitment to their profession, as well as their dedication to staying up-to-date with best practices and technology advancements. Furthermore, it can help individuals increase their earning potential by increasing their marketability and opening doors to higher-level positions within organizations. Finally, having an office & administrative certification often leads to increased job satisfaction due to the sense of achievement associated with earning such a credential.

Pro Tip: When it comes to office and administrative certifications, focus on specific skill sets that are in demand. By having the right certifications related to your field, you can increase your chances of getting hired and staying competitive in the job market.

Related: What does an Office & Administrative do?

Top 10 Office & Administrative Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Office & Administratives today.

1. Certified Professional Secretary (CPS)

Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) is a professional certification offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). It is designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of administrative professionals. The CPS certification demonstrates that an individual has achieved a high level of proficiency in their field.

To become certified as a CPS, individuals must meet certain requirements and pass an exam administered by IAAP. To qualify for the exam, applicants must have at least three years of experience in an administrative role or two years of experience plus a post-secondary degree or diploma in business or related field.

The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as office technology, communication, customer service, project management, legal issues, financial management, and other areas relevant to administrative professionals. The exam takes about four hours to complete and can be taken either online or in person at one of IAAP’s testing centers.

The cost for taking the CPS exam varies depending on whether you are an IAAP member or non-member. For members, it costs $200 USD; for non-members it costs $250 USD. Once you have passed the exam you will receive your official Certified Professional Secretary certificate from IAAP.

2. Certified Administrative Professional (CAP)

Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) is a professional certification program administered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). It is designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of administrative professionals. The CAP certification demonstrates that an individual has achieved a high level of competency in the administrative profession.

The CAP certification requires successful completion of an exam that covers topics such as business communication, office technology, organization and time management, customer service, project management, and finance. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete.

To be eligible for the CAP certification exam, applicants must have at least two years of full-time administrative experience or one year of full-time administrative experience plus 30 semester hours from an accredited college or university. In addition, applicants must have completed at least one IAAP approved course within the past five years or have earned a recognized degree within the past five years.

The cost for taking the CAP certification exam varies depending on whether you are an IAAP member or non-member. For IAAP members, the cost is $175 USD; for non-members it is $225 USD.

3. Certified Office Manager (COM)

Certified Office Manager (COM) is a professional certification program offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). It is designed to recognize and validate the knowledge and skills of administrative professionals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in office management.

The COM certification requires applicants to have at least five years of experience in office management, demonstrate expertise in office management, and pass an exam. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as business communications, human resources, financial management, technology, customer service, and more.

It typically takes between six months to one year to complete the coursework required for the COM certification. To get started, applicants must first register with IAAP and pay a fee that covers the cost of registration and materials. Once registered, applicants can access online courses that cover all the topics necessary for passing the exam.

The cost for obtaining the COM certification varies depending on which package you choose. The basic package costs $395 USD and includes access to all course materials, practice exams, and one attempt at taking the certification exam. The advanced package costs $595 USD and includes additional material such as audio lectures and study guides.

4. Certified Professional Manager (CPM)

Certified Professional Manager (CPM) is a professional certification program offered by the Institute of Certified Professional Managers (ICPM). The CPM program is designed to recognize and promote excellence in management and leadership. It is an internationally recognized credential that demonstrates a commitment to professional development, ethical practices, and organizational success.

The CPM program consists of three parts: an online assessment, a portfolio review, and an oral interview. The online assessment tests the applicant's knowledge of management topics such as finance, marketing, operations, human resources, and strategy. The portfolio review requires applicants to submit a written project demonstrating their ability to apply their knowledge in real-world situations. Finally, the oral interview assesses the applicant's communication skills and overall management acumen.

It typically takes 6-12 months to complete all three parts of the CPM program. To get started on the CPM program, applicants must first register for the ICPM website and pay a registration fee of $250 USD. Upon successful completion of all three parts of the CPM Program, applicants will receive their official Certified Professional Manager (CPM) certificate from ICPM.

5. Certified Records Manager (CRM)

A Certified Records Manager (CRM) is a professional designation that recognizes records management professionals who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge, skill, and experience in the field. The CRM is awarded by the Institute of Certified Records Managers (ICRM), an independent, non-profit organization that sets standards for records management professionals.

To become a CRM, individuals must meet certain qualifications and pass an examination administered by ICRM. To qualify for the exam, applicants must have at least five years of full-time work experience in records management or related fields such as information technology or archival studies. Applicants must also complete at least 10 hours of continuing education credits in records management topics within the past five years.

The exam consists of four parts: General Knowledge; Management & Leadership; Technology & Systems; and Professional Practices & Standards. It takes approximately eight hours to complete and costs $400 USD. Once applicants pass the exam, they are eligible to receive their CRM designation from ICRM.

The cost to maintain a CRM designation is $100 USD per year and requires completion of 15 continuing education credits every three years. This fee covers membership in ICRM and access to various resources such as webinars, conferences, publications, and networking opportunities with other certified professionals.

6. Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) is a certification program offered by Microsoft to validate an individual’s skills in using one or more of the Microsoft Office applications. The certification is designed to prove that an individual has the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively use the Microsoft Office suite of products.

The MOS certification requires passing one or more exams, depending on which application you are certifying for. Each exam covers topics such as creating documents, formatting text and objects, working with formulas and functions, managing data, customizing options, and troubleshooting. Exams typically take between 45 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes to complete.

To get certified for MOS, you must first register at the Certiport website and purchase an exam voucher. Exam vouchers cost around $100 USD per exam. Once you have registered and purchased your voucher, you can schedule your exam at a local testing center or online through Certiport's online proctoring service.

Once you have completed your exams successfully, you will receive a digital certificate from Microsoft that verifies your MOS certification status. This certificate is valid for two years after which time you must renew it by taking additional exams if necessary.

7. Project Management Professional (PMP)

Project Management Professional (PMP) is a certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is the most widely recognized and respected project management certification in the world. PMP certification demonstrates a professional’s ability to manage projects, teams, and resources effectively.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to prepare for the PMP exam. The amount of time required depends on an individual’s experience and familiarity with project management concepts. To become certified, individuals must meet certain educational and experience requirements, as well as pass a 4-hour multiple choice exam.

To get started, you will need to create a profile on the PMI website. Once your profile is created, you can apply for the PMP exam and pay the associated fee of $405 for members or $555 for non-members. After submitting your application, you will need to document your project management experience and education in order to be approved for the exam.

Once approved, you can register for an upcoming exam date at one of many testing centers around the world. The cost of taking the exam varies depending on location but generally ranges from $200-$400 USD. After passing the exam, you will receive your official PMP certification card within 2-4 weeks.

8. Six Sigma Green Belt Certification

Six Sigma Green Belt Certification is a professional certification program designed to help individuals develop their skills in the field of process improvement. The certification is offered by the American Society for Quality (ASQ) and is recognized globally. It is designed to provide professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to identify, analyze, and improve processes within an organization.

The Six Sigma Green Belt Certification typically takes between four and six weeks to complete. To get certified, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as Six Sigma principles, problem solving techniques, data analysis methods, and project management. The exam consists of multiple choice questions as well as essay questions. Applicants must also demonstrate their proficiency in applying the Six Sigma methodology through a project or case study.

The cost of getting a Six Sigma Green Belt Certification varies depending on the provider and can range from $500 to $2,000 USD. Additionally, some providers may require applicants to pay additional fees for materials or access to online resources.

Overall, obtaining a Six Sigma Green Belt Certification is a great way for professionals to demonstrate their expertise in process improvement and gain recognition in the industry.

9. Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification is a professional certification program designed to help individuals become proficient in the Lean Six Sigma methodology. It is a rigorous, comprehensive program that combines the principles of Lean and Six Sigma to improve processes and increase efficiency.

The Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification typically takes between 8-12 weeks to complete, depending on the provider and the type of course you take. The program consists of classroom instruction, online learning, and hands-on projects. During this time, participants will learn about the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) process for problem solving as well as how to use data analysis tools such as Minitab and SPC (Statistical Process Control).

To get certified as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, you must pass an exam administered by an accredited organization such as ASQ or IASSC. The exam typically consists of multiple choice questions and covers topics such as project management techniques, data analysis tools, and problem solving strategies.

The cost of a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification varies depending on the provider and type of course you take. Generally speaking, courses range from $2,000-$4,000 USD for self-paced online programs up to $10,000 USD for more comprehensive in-person courses.

10. CompTIA A+ Certification

CompTIA A+ is an internationally recognized certification for computer technicians and support personnel. It is designed to verify that the individual has the knowledge and skills necessary to install, configure, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair a variety of computer hardware and software technologies.

To get CompTIA A+ certification, you must pass two exams: Core 1 (220-1001) and Core 2 (220-1002). Both exams cover topics such as hardware, networking, mobile devices, operating systems, security, software troubleshooting, operational procedures and customer service. The exams are offered in multiple languages and can be taken at any Pearson VUE testing center or online proctored exam.

It typically takes around three months to prepare for the CompTIA A+ certification exams. During this time you should review all of the material covered on the exam including hardware components, network topology concepts, installation processes for various operating systems and more. You can also take practice tests to help you identify areas where you need more study time.

The cost of CompTIA A+ certification varies depending on where you take the exam. The exam fee itself is usually around $200 USD per exam but there may be additional fees for taking it at a Pearson VUE testing center or online proctored exam. Additionally some companies may offer discounts if you purchase a bundle of certifications or if your employer pays for the certification.

Do You Really Need a Office & Administrative Certificate?

Whether or not you need an office and administrative certificate really depends on the type of job you are looking for and what you want to do in that role. If you are looking for a job as an office clerk, receptionist, or administrative assistant, then an office and administrative certificate could be beneficial. It can demonstrate to potential employers that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to perform these types of jobs successfully.

Having an office and administrative certificate can also help when it comes to salary negotiations. Employers may be more willing to offer higher salaries to applicants who have taken the time to gain additional qualifications. Additionally, having this certification may open up opportunities with certain organizations or companies where they prefer candidates with specific qualifications.

On the other hand, if you are looking for a job in which your primary duties don’t involve working in an office setting or performing any type of administrative tasks, then a certificate may not be necessary. In this case, it would be more beneficial to focus on gaining experience related to your desired role.

At the end of the day, whether or not you need an office and administrative certificate really depends on your individual goals and career aspirations. If obtaining one will help further your career objectives, then it may be beneficial to pursue this certification. However, if it won’t provide much benefit in terms of advancing your career goals then it may not be worth investing the time and money into obtaining one.

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FAQs About Office & Administrative Certifications

1. What are the benefits of obtaining an office and administrative certification?

Answer: Obtaining an office and administrative certification can demonstrate competence in specific administrative skills, increase job security, provide career advancement opportunities, give you a competitive edge in the job search process, and/or increase your earning potential.

2. What types of certifications are available?

Answer: Common certifications include Certified Administrative Professional (CAP), Certified Professional Secretary (CPS), Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS), Certified Professional Manager (CPM), and Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA).

3. How do I prepare for an office and administrative certification exam?

Answer: Preparation for an office and administrative certification exam typically involves studying the material covered on the exam, taking practice tests to identify areas of weakness, attending review classes or seminars if available, and joining discussion forums to ask questions or seek advice from experienced professionals.

4. How long does it take to complete an office and administrative certification program?

Answer: The length of time required to complete an office and administrative certification program will vary depending on the type of certification being sought. Generally speaking, most programs require at least six months of study before taking the final exam.

5. Are there any prerequisites I must meet before enrolling in a certification program?

Answer: Yes, some certifications may require that you have prior experience working in a related field or have completed certain coursework prior to enrollment. Additionally, some certifications may also require that you pass a background check or other screening process prior to starting the program.